Plans by the Los Angeles Housing Authority to demolish an aging housing project to make way for a new mixed-use complex have residents and nearby neighbors concerned.

The housing project sits next to land that once housed a steel manufacturing facility as well as a truck storage and repair facility. The soil is known to be contaminated and in 2014 the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) reported that, “…the California Department of Toxics Substances Control (DTSC) identified contaminants in the soil from industrial operations at the site consistent with steel manufacturing, trucking-related operations and the storage of engine oil and oil wastes, fuels (diesel and gasoline), paint thinner and electric transformers.” Lead, arsenic and trichloroethylene (TCE) are some of the industrial pollutants that have been found in the area.

“Exposure to elevated levels of any of these is a concern for current and future residents of the neighborhood,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Demolition and construction activities, when the soil contains high levels of lead and/or arsenic, could create an airborne exposure risk for people in the neighborhood. These substances can also settle on adjacent properties contaminating the ground and then be tracked into people’s homes and businesses.”

Identifying lead, arsenic, TCE and other hazardous materials in soil, water, air or other environmental samples are the dedicated scientists at LA Testing. They offer comprehensive analyses and all of the sampling supplies necessary to submit samples.

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Leandro and South Pasadena.